Team Malta, including officials and athletes, yesterday visited President George Abela at his residential palace in San Anton.

The President augured the best of luck to all the athletes and went on to tell them that they had a big responsibility in the sense that they were not only representing themselves and their federations at these Games, but also the country.

He appealed to all of them to show commitment and to try their best. “It may not necessarily be a medal, but your commitment will enable you to make bolder efforts to keep up your standards and show improvement,” he said.

Dr Abela said these Games were “within our reach”, adding that they offer more motivation because of the better chances of winning medals than through participation in bigger Games. “With a strong effort and determination, you should be able to achieve your targets,” he told the athletes.

Earlier, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, MOC president, said this courtesy visit had now become something traditional. “It is something which shows our preparation for the Games. These have radically changed since my first participation as Chef de Mission way back in 1989 in Cyprus. Then we did not know anyone and we knew nothing. But since then, a lot of progress has been achieved in every aspect and nowadays we are much better organised. It is the fruit of the work done not only by the MOC, its athletes and officials, but also that of the whole Maltese population,” he said.

Farrugia Sacco said the MOC hoped that Team Malta will return home on 5 June with a lot of satisfaction and happiness.

During the visit, Dr Abela also presented a Maltese flag to Malta Squash president Liz Said who was representing Brad Hindle Deguara, the squash player who will be Malta’s flag-bearer during the march past at the Opening Ceremony of the Games next Monday. Deguara could not be present to receive the flag himself as he is away from the Island at present.

Also, Mark Cutajar, MOC Director of Sport and Chef de Mission in Liechtenstein, and MOC President Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco, presented a track suit to Dr Abela. It is the same as that to be worn by athletes and officials forming part of the Maltese contingent in Liechtenstein.